of Clarksville, AR
September 3, 1928 - October 18, 2024
Janet Marie Smith, 96, of Clarksville passed from this life on Friday, October 18, 2024 in Clarksville. She was born September 3, 1928 in Zanesville, Ohio to Mr. Carl and Eva (Allen) Gebhart.
Although standing only 4'9'' she never let her size inhibit her. She worked in factories, dry cleaners, nursing homes and still maintained her own home. Most of all she was an excellent and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a musician and songwriter who played the guitar, electric bass guitar, accordion, piano and xylophone.
She was a member of the Apostolic Gospel Church (The Anchor Church) in Zanesville, Ohio for 66 years. She taught Sunday School classes there for 63 years and she loved her pastors; Guy Smith, Larry Farris and Aaron Bounds. The church honored her by naming the Sunday School Department, ''The Janet Smith Sunday School''. Her current pastors, Justin and Tiffany Ferguson, along with Bishop Vernon and Louise Long and the congregation of Christian Life Center, Clarksville, Arkansas will never forget her faithfulness, enthusiasm and deep love for God. Janet is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 71 years, Randall Smith; her son-in-law Rev. Larry Farris and her grandson-in-law, James Kirk.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory; one son, Randy (Cheryl) Smith of Lamar; two daughters, Sharon (Rev. B.J.) Thomas of Fort Smith and Elaine (Terry) Sanderson of Knoxville; grandchildren, Larry (Kristy) Farris, Angela (Johnathan) McClintock, Joshua (Stacey) Smith, Sarah (Jared) Martin, Erica (Seth) Houghton and Matthew (Yesenia) Sanderson, David (Rhonda) Thomas, Mark Thomas and Aaron (Sheila) Thomas; 20 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-children; three sisters, Evelyn Wilson, Shirley Wheeler and Julie Gilreath; her family adopted by her heart, Sharon Ricketts, Michael, Audelina and Jason Warren.
Visitation for Janet will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Christian Life Center in Clarksville. Funeral service will follow at Noon on Thursday, October 24, 2024, also at Christian Life Center, with Rev. Justin Ferguson and Rev. B.J. Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in the Knoxville Cemetery with Larry B. Farris, Josh Smith, Jared Martin, Matthew Sanderson, Seth Houghton and Mike Warren serving as pallbearers.
Arrangements under the direction and care of Roller-Cox Funeral Home
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11 Condolence(s)
B Minosky
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
My sincere condolences, Met Janet at a Wendy's in zanesville, she always stopped what she was doing and chat during our lunch, Janet really loved people and life and the Almighty. May God comfort you all as he has Janet
I'm Blessed to have known her.
Margie Smith
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
So sorry for your loss, but happy to know where she is now. Such a sweetheart and bigger than life. Prayers, Michael & Margie Smith
Lee and jennifer tollison
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Your family is in our prayers
Kerri Holt
Monday, October 21, 2024
My sweet Janet how I’m gonna miss you. You were a kind soul. I am gonna miss the morning when I would see you and ask how you were, your response was always “I’m Blessed”. Fly high. Love yiu
Ramonda (Sis Thompson) Williams
Monday, October 21, 2024
Sharon, Randy, Elaine and all. I am so sorry for your loss!
Mark and Candy Mauller
Monday, October 21, 2024
Aunt Janet was the most loving person who served God with her whole heart, mind, and soul. We loved her so very. I (Candy) loved taking her any where she wanted to go, especially to church the last she came to visit. She most definitely has received her heavenly reward. We will love you in our hearts forever Aunt Janet! To the family: we love you and we are praying for you all!
Diane Gossett née Mowry
Monday, October 21, 2024
I loved Sis. Janet so much. I still recall the delightful picture she made playing the stand-up bass for service at Bro. Guy smith’s church in the 1960’s. Sharon and I were good friends and even made a record together, “I cannot fail the Lord”. Great memories. Can’t wait to see her again one day.
Brent Barton
Monday, October 21, 2024
Such a wonderful,powerful, lady of God. I walk past her picture before and after every service at the anchor church. I met her when she worked with my mom at Wendy's here in Zanesville ohio. She invited my family to the Apostolic Gospel Church when I was 10 years old.
Jane and Joe Barton
Monday, October 21, 2024
We will greatly miss, Sister Smith, she was always an inspiration! Loved her greatly, prayers for the family.
Bobby Broadway
Monday, October 21, 2024
Faye Raible
Monday, October 21, 2024
Randy, so sorry for the loss of your mother. She must have been an amazing woman.